STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1114

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 261
                                        H.D. 1
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Education and Technology and Health and
Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 261, H.D. 1,
entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the University of
Hawaii to develop standards to measure child development
outcomes.

     The University of Hawaii is also required to publish a
report that tracks Hawaii's children and youth to assess progress
towards these outcomes.  The measure also provides for an
appropriation to measure child development outcomes.

     Testimony supporting this measure was received from the
University of Hawaii, the Department of Health, Hawaii Kids
Count, and Good Beginnings Alliance.  The Department of Education
provided oral testimony in support of the measure.

     Your Committees find that, due to the efforts of initiatives
from governmental and private agencies, Hawaii is strengthening
its capacity to enhance positive outcomes for children and
families based on measurable outcomes.  Your Committees also find
that there is a need for a data collection and reporting
infrastructure to support these efforts as provided for in this
measure.

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1114
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     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the standards reflect that a child
          shall have access to good health care;

     (2)  Requiring that the University of Hawaii request advice
          from organizations engaged in childhood education and
          development; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the
          purpose of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committees on Education and Technology and Health and Human
Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in
accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 261, H.D. 1, as
amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the
form attached hereto as H.B. No. 261, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committees on Education and
                                   Technology and Health and
                                   Human Services,



____________________________       ______________________________
SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair        DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

 
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